The digital age has changed the narrative for a number of important issues and we see this translated through the important days we commemorate nationally. With the 28th celebration of Freedom Day in South Africa, the new generation of digital natives have taken to TikTok through the hashtag #FreedomToBeMe to express themselves and what this day means to them and their generation.

Freedom of expression has been evident through the creativity seen daily on TikTok - and this is all thanks to the amazing community who openly share themselves with the rest of the world. TikTok has established itself as a place where culture starts and where creativity knows no bounds - where anyone can express their beliefs, share thoughts, ideas, and emotions.

@tiktok.southafrica #WhatAreWeDoingToday? Celebrating everyone who chooses the freedom to be themselves. Join us alongside #MTNza as we celebrate the #FreedomToBeMe ♬ original sound - TikTok South Africa

Boniswa Sidwaba who is the Head of Content Programming explains that: "the platform strives to provide the community with a space for freedom of expression, balanced with a safe and joyful environment for positive impact. With this campaign, we encourage South Africans to share stories on TikTok; stories of how they continue to create and share their personal journeys and while emphasising how being online has empowered them to feel more free to be themselves."

Using innovative in-app solutions, the TikTok community is encouraged to join in the fun and celebrate their wins, gains, changes and achievements that have come as a result of being unashamedly themselves - staying true to who they are! Whether through fitness, career, skills, lifestyle, fashion/makeup looks, self care, self love tips, how do you express the freedom to be you? Make sure to use the hashtag #FreedomToBeMe. Music is what excites our community and we have created a special playlist that celebrates the #FreedomToBeMe. Use it here

You can also have funn with the cool Freedom Day effect - Celebrate being South African. Celebrate being FREE!

We recently spoke with a few popular creators, including @KaylaKimKay, @Sphokuhle.N, Chadjones957 and @Baby.Daiz, to hear their views of what freedom is and what Freedom Day means to them.

  1. What does ‘freedom’ mean to you?

@KaylaKimKay: Freedom is the ability to work towards my goals and dreams, and being able to achieve them without boundaries, without constraint or patriarchy.

@Sphokuhle.n: Freedom Day to me means being able to express myself. Being able to do what I love without being judged for it.


  1. On TikTok, how do you express freedom in your creativity and content creation?

@Chadjones957: I express freedom through dance. I feel like TikTok in general has given a lot of people the freedom to express who they are, whether it being through dancing, acting, singing or just speaking on things that are important to them. I also express myself freely through the music I dance to and the people I love.

@KaylaKimKay: I am unapologetically myself. I voice my feelings when I feel something is wrong or may be hurtful towards others, and I stand up for what’s right.


  1. How do you generally celebrate Freedom Day?

@Chadjones957: I celebrate Freedom Day with my family and friends by going to, or hosting a gathering with good food, company and music.

@KaylaKimKay: I celebrate it in my everyday life.

@Baby.daiz: I go out and celebrate those that fought for us by appreciating what they did and harvested for us.

@Sphokuhle.n: I braai and watch Freedom Day commemoration movies with friends and family.


  1. If you had the honour to be part of a movie that commemorated Freedom Day, which role would you want to take?

@Baby.daiz: Chris Hani

@KaylaKimKay: Winnie Mandela or Rosa Park

@Sphokuhle.n: Sarafina


  1. What would you call this movie?

@Baby.daiz: Breaking the chains of the hidden

@Chadjones957: Do You!

@KaylaKimKay: We are human, too!

@Sphokuhle.n: Gen Z fighters!


  1. Which five local TikTok creators would you want to star with in this movie?

@Chadjones957: Ofentse Mwase, Nathan Molefe, Nadia Jafta, Banele Ndada and Khanyisa Jaceni

@Baby.daiz: Bryan KAZAKA, Troy Shepherd, King Lluvia and Chad Jones.


  1. What is your message around Freedom Day to people reading this article?

@KaylaKimKay: Be unapologetically you. Our ancestors have fought and gone through enough for us to walk in shackles. Stand up for what is right. Stand up when being excluded on the bases of race and gender. We are the change for the generations to come. We still have a long way to go.

@Baby.daiz: We must appreciate those that fought for us to have a better future with their lives. It’s our responsibility to keep their names alive and to also continue the narrative by never going back to our old ways.

@Sphokuhle.n: Never be afraid to show your true self! Explore your talents and creativity! Do what you make you feel free!

@Chadjones957: Firstly, I would like to wish everyone a Happy Freedom Day. Freedom is a blessing that comes with certain responsibilities. Let’s appreciate the freedom we have as well as respect it.

To be part of the conversation and see what others are doing for Freedom Day, simply join #FreedomToBeMe on TikTok.

New to TikTok? Download TikTok for free via the Apple App Store, Google Play or Amazon.